LA City College giving comic respect with Rodney Dangerfield Institute

Thirteen years after his death, Rodney Dangerfield is going “Back to School” again.

Los Angeles City College announced Wednesday the creation of a comedy-education program named in honor of the comedian who famously got no respect at all.

The Rodney Dangerfield Institute will initially offer four classes — a stand-up workshop, joke-writing, improvisational comedy and an American film comedy course. The institute will also feature guest lectures, performances, mentoring programs and partnerships with Southern California comedy clubs.

LACC officials said it is the only community-college-based comedy institute in the country.

“Rodney’s comedy personified the down-on-his-luck everyman,” said Dangerfield’s widow, Joan, who will be the honorary chair of the institute’s advisory board. “Los Angeles City College is the perfect choice to house this innovative institute. Now students will have the opportunity to study comedy at an affordable cost in the heart of Hollywood.”

LACC will give more respect to Dangerfield on Sept. 7, when it presents a fundraising staged reading of one of the comedian’s most memorable films, “Back to School.” Actor Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) will take on Dangerfield’s role of businessman-turned-student Thornton Melon, and members of the original cast are expected to take part in a question-and-answer session.